Payload
MIT Next.js-native headless CMS; Cloud new deploys paused
Next.js / CMS · OSS/MIT · 45.4k
Reviewed 2026-09-04 · last push 2026-10-21 · repo checked 2026-10-21
What's Good
MIT. Collections/globals in TypeScript, Auth, uploads, Local API, runs inside Next.js. Self-host forever on any Node host. Active core post-Figma acquisition with public commitment to stay OSS.
The Catch
Payload Cloud new project deploys are paused after Figma — existing Cloud keeps running; new teams should self-host (Vercel/Cloudflare templates). Not Sanity Content Lake SaaS. Enterprise features/support are commercial conversations.
Verdict
MIT Next.js CMS. Self-host is the free path; Cloud new-signups paused.
Embed
Maintainer? Add the badge to your README. It is free, links to this review, and there is no paid version.
Markdown
[](https://stackgems.com/gems/payload)
HTML
<a href="https://stackgems.com/gems/payload"><img src="https://stackgems.com/badge/payload.svg" alt="Payload reviewed on Stack Gems" height="20"></a>